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Family Gramineae
Bikal-boboi
Schizostachyum dielsianum (Pilger) Merr.

Scientific names Common names
Schizostachyum dielsianum (Pilger) Merr. Bikal-boboi (S. L. Bis.)
Dinochloa dielsiana Pilger  
   
The species is by no means certainly distinct from Schizostachyum diffusum (Blanco) Merr. which is the common "bikal."

Botany
Bikal-boboi is an endemic bamboo with a sprawling and scandent habit. Stems are about 3 cm in diameter, and widely branched. Leaves are linear, about 2 cm long and 2 cm wide, with rounded base. Inflorescences are diffused, with long slender branches. Spikes are somewhat compressed. Fruit is a nutlet in a leathery rind which bears a slender point.

Distribution
In thickets and forests at low altitude.
Reported in Palawan only.

Parts used
Young shoots and rhizomes.

Uses

Edibility
Decoction of rhizomes make a refreshing drink.
Folkloric
Young shoots used to dissipate corneal opacities.

Availability
Wild-crafted.

May 2011


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